1583 Edition | Book 1 | Page 95 
CloseC3 Christian wandering abroad in Egypt during the persecutions under Valerian
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, p. 103; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 72.
CloseC3 deacon of Alexandria under Dionysius
He was banished along with Dionysius under Valerian. 1570, p. 102; 1576, p. 72; 1583, p. 72.
Close(d. 265) [Gams]
Patriarch of Alexandria (247 - 265); church father
Dionysius succeeded Heraclas as head of the school in Alexandria and then as bishop. 1570, p. 87; 1576, p. 61; 1583, p. 60.
Dionysius sent a letter to Fabius of Antioch describing the uprisings against the Christians in Alexandria. 1570, p. 88; 1576, p. 62; 1583, p. 61.
In his letter, Dionysius recounted how a number of the faithful lapsed under torture or through terror. 1570, p. 92; 1576, p. 64; 1583, p. 64.
Dionysius gave an account of his and his followers' rescue from the persecutors. 1570, p. 90; 1576, p. 63; 1583, pp. 62-63.
In a letter to Hierax, a bishop in Egypt, Dionysius described the effects of a plague that had afflicted Alexandria after the death of Decius. 1570, p. 94; 1576, p. 66; 1583, p. 66.
Dionysius refused to sacrifice to the gods and was banished by Aemilianus, prefect of Egypt. 1570, p. 102; 1576, p. 72; 1583, p. 72.
Dionysius outlived Valerian and died an old man. 1570, p. 103; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 73.
Close(d. c. 268) [Catholic Encyclopedia]
Pupil of Origen; deacon of Alexandria under Dionysius; bishop of Laodicea
During the exile of Dionysius, Eusebius ministered to the scattered Christians and buried the bodies of the martyrs. 1570, p. 103; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 72.
The Roman governor favoured Eusebius and agreed to his request to allow those in a part of Alexandria besieged by the Romans to leave. Eusebius then arranged for the care of those who fled. 1570, p. 107; 1576, p. 76; 1583, p. 76.
CloseC3 deacon of Alexandria under Dionysius; in exile and rescued with him
He was banished along with Dionysius under Valerian. In his old age he was martyred. 1570, pp. 102, 103; 1576, pp. 72, 73; 1583, pp. 72, 73.
CloseC3 Christian followers of Dionysius of Alexandria
Gaius, Faustus, Petrus and Paulus were exiled with Dionysius of Alexandria. 1570, p. 103; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 72.
They were rescued with Dionysius of Alexandria. 1570, p. 90; 1576, p. 63; 1583, p. 63.
CloseC3 bishop; recipient of a letter from Dionysius of Alexandria
Germanus had accused Dionysius of fleeing the persecution in Alexandria; Dionysius wrote to him defending himself. 1570, pp. 90, 103; 1576, pp. 62, 73; 1583, pp. 62, 72.
CloseTaught philosophy in Bologna in (1351 - 52); writer and historian
He is mentioned by Foxe: 1570, pp. 68, 78, 80, 86, 98, 104, 110, 146; 1576, pp. 40, 45, 53, 55, 60, 69, 74, 79, 108; 1583, pp. 40, 45, 53, 55, 59, 69, 74, 78, 107.
Close(d. 282) [Gams]; deacon of Alexandria under Dionysius
Patriarch of Alexandria (265 - 82)
He was banished along with Dionysius under Valerian. 1570, p. 102; 1576, p. 72; 1583, p. 72.
CloseC3 Christian priests continuing to minister during the persecutions under Valerian
They continued to minister while their better-known colleagues were in exile. 1570, p. 103; 1576, p. 73; 1583, p. 72.
Close(d. 261/262) [C. Koerner www.roman-emperors.org]
Prefect of Egypt (259 - 61); responsible for implementing Valerian's laws against the Christians
Supported the rebellion of the Macriani against Gallien (260 - 61); proclaimed emperor in Egypt; captured and executed
Aemilianus was one of Valerian's chief persecutors of Christians. 1570, p. 97; 1576, p. 68; 1583, p. 68.
Aemilianus banished Dionysius of Alexandria and his deacons because they refused to sacrifice to the gods. 1570, p. 102; 1576, p. 72; 1583, p. 72.
Close(218 - 268) [R. D. Weigel www.roman-emperors.org]
Co-emperor with his father Valerian (253 - 60); sole Roman emperor (260 - 68) ; assassinated with his son and his brother
Excluded senators from military command; patron of philosophers
Gallienus participated in the persecutions of his father, but moderated his position after his father's capture by the Persians. 1570, pp. 105-06; 1576, pp. 75-76; 1583, pp. 74-75.
In a letter to the Persian king Shapur II, Constantine I used the examples of Gallienus and his father to illustrate that rulers prospered when they treated Christians well, but suffered ill fortune when they persecuted them. 1570, p. 137; 1576, p. 100; 1583, p. 99.
Closenr Alexandria, Egypt
CloseLibya [Curubis]
CloseLibya
Iuels can Christ haue, thē those in whō he hath promised to dwel? For it is written, I was hungry, & ye gaue me to eate: I was thirsty, and ye gaue me to drinke: I was harborles, and ye lodged me. And againe: Looke what ye haue done to the least of these, the same haue ye done to me. What greater riches can christ our maister posses, then the poore people, in whō he loueth to be sene? Oh, what toung is able to expresse the fury and madnes of the tirants hart? Now he stāped, he stared, he rāped, he fared as one out of his wit: his eies like fier glowed, his mouth like a bore fomed, his teeth like an helhoūd grinded. Now not a reasonable man, but a roaryng lion he might be called. Kindle the fire (he cried) of wood make no spare. Hath this vyllaine deluded the Emperour? away with him, away with him. Whip him with scourges, iercke him with rods: buffet him with fistes, braine him with clubs, iesteth the traitour with the Emperour? Pinche him with fyrie tonges gyrde him with burning plates, bring out the strongest chaines, and the fireforkes, and the grated bedde of yron. On the fire with it, bind the rebell hande and foote, & when the bed is fire hot, on with him: rost him, broyle him, tosse him, turne him: On paine of our highe displeasure do euery man his office, O ye tormentors.
[Back to Top]The worde was no soner spoken, but all was done. MarginaliaLaurence tormented on the fiery gridiron. After many cruell handlings, this meeke lambe was layd I will not say on his firye bed of yron, but on his soft bed of downe. So mightily God wrought with his Martyr Laurence, so miraculously God tempered his element the fire, not a bed of consuming paine, but a pallet of nourishing rest was it vnto Laurence. Not Laurence, but the Emperour might seeme to be tormented: the one broiling in the fleshe, the other burning in the hart. When this tryumphaut Martir had beene pressed downe with firepikes for a great space, in the mightie spirite of God he spake to the vanquished tyraunt:
[Back to Top]This side is now rosted inough, turne vp O tyraunt great,
Assay, whether rosted or raw, thou thinkest the better meate.
MarginaliaThe singular patience of Laurence in his paynes. O rare and vnaccustomed patience. O faith inuincible, that not onely burnest, but by meanes vnspeakable doest recreate, refresh, stablish & strengthen those that are burned, afflicted and troubled. And why so mightilye comfortest thou the persecuted? Because through thee they beleeue in gods promises infallible. By thee this glorious Martir ouercommeth his torments, vanquisheth this tyraunt, confoundeth his enimies, confirmeth the Christiās slepeth in peace, raigneth in glory.MarginaliaThe Martyrdome and end of blessed Lanrence. The God of might and mercy graunt vs grace, by the life of Laurence to learne in Christ to liue, and by his death to learne for Christ to dye. Amen.
[Back to Top]Such is the wisdome and prouidence of God, that the bloud of his deare Saints (like good seede) neuer falleth in vaine to the grounde, but it bringeth some increase:MarginaliaA Romayne souldiour conuerted by Laurence, and Martyred. so it pleased the Lord to worke at the Martirdome of this holy Laurence, that by the constant confession of this worthy & valiaunt Deacon, a certaine souldiour of Rome beyng therwith compuncted, and conuerted to þe same faith, desired forthwith to be Baptised of him: for the which he being called for of the iudge, was scourged, and afterwarde beheaded. Henr. de Erford.
[Back to Top]Vnder the same Valerianus suffered also Dionysius byshop of Alexandria much affliction and banishment, with certaine other brethren,MarginaliaDionysius Byshop of Alexandria with hys fellowes banished. Of the which he writeth himselfe, & is alledged in the Ecclesiasticall story of Euseb. Lib. 7. cap. 11. the wordes whereof tend to this effect: Dionysius wyth three of his Deacons, to wit, Maximus, Faustus, and Cheremon, also with a certaine brother of Rome,MarginaliaMaximus, Faustus, Cheremon, a certayne Romayne banished. came to Emilianus then President, who there declared vnto them in circumstance of words how he had signified vnto them þ e clemencie of his Lords and Emperours: who had graunted them pardon of life, so that they would returne to them, & worship the Gods and keepers (as he called them) of their Emperie, asking them what aunswere they would gyue him therevnto: trusting as he saide that they woulde not shew themselues ingrateful to the clemency of them which so gently did exhort them.MarginaliaThe examination of Dionysius before the President. To this Dionysius aunsweryng, said: Al men worship not al Gods, but diuers men diuers Gods, so as euery one hath in himselfe a mind or phantasie to worship. But we worship not many nor diuers Gods, but onely that one God, who is the creator all things, & hath committed to our Lords Valerianus and Galienus the gouernmēt of their Empery, making to him our prayers incessauntly for their prosperous health and continuance. Then the President sayde: And what hurt is it, but that you may both worship your God, what God soeuer he be, and these our Gods also? For you are cōmaunded worship such Gods, as al men know to be gods. Dionysius answered we worship none other, but as we haue sayd, Emi-lianus the President said: I see you are ingratfull men, and consider not þe benignitie of the Emperous,MarginaliaThe constant confession of Dionysius and hys Deacons. wherfore you shal remaine no longer in this City, but shal be sent out to the parts of Libya, vnto a towne called Cephro. For that place by the commaundement of the Emperour I haue chosen for you. Neither shal it be lawful for you, to cōuent your assemblies, or to resort, as ye are wont to your burial places. And if any of you shal be found out of your places wherunto you are apointed, at your peril be it. And think not contrary, but ye shal be watched well inough. Depart therfore to the place as is cōmaunded you.MarginaliaDionysius banished to Cephro. and it foloweth more in the said Dionysius speaking of himselfe: And as for me (sayth he) although I was sicke, yet hee vrged mee so straightly to depart, that he would not giue me one dayes respite. And how (saith he writing to Germanus) coulde I congregate or not congregate any assemblies? And after a few lines it followeth. And yet neyther am I altogether absent from the corporall societie of the Lordes flocke, but I haue collected them togither, which were in the Citye, being absent, as though I had bene present, absent in body yet present in spirit. And in the same Cephro, a great congregation remayned with mee, as well of those brethren which followed me out of the City, as also of them which were remayning there out of Egypt. MarginaliaInfidels cōuerted by Dionysius in hys banishment. Ex Dionysio contra Germanū. Eus. lib. 7. And there the Lorde opened to me the doore of his word, although at the first entraunce I was persecuted and stoned among them, yet afterward a great number of them fel from their Idoles and were cōuerted vnto the Lord. And so by vs the word was preached to them which before were infidels: which ministery after that we had accomplished there, the lord remoued vs to an other place. For Æmilianus translated vs frō thence to more sharpe and straighter places of Libya, commaunding vs to meete altogether at a city Mareota, thinking there to separate vs seuerallye into sundrye villages, or thinking rather to take and preuent vs by the way. After we were come thether, it was assigned to me (saith Dionysius) to go to Colluthion, which place I neuer hearde of before: which was the more griefe to me, yet some solace it was to me, that the brethren told me, it was neare to a Citie named Parætonium. For as my being at Cephrō got me the acquaintaunce of manye brethren of Egypt, so my hope was that the vicinitie of that place where I shoulde be, to the Citie, might procure the familiaritie and concourse of certaine louing brethren, which would resort and assemble with vs, and so it came to passe, &c.
[Back to Top]Moreouer the said Dionysius in his Epistle ad Domitium & Dydymū,MarginaliaEx Dionysio ad Domitium & Didimum. Eus. ibidem. making mention of them whiche were afflicted in this persecution of Valerian, recordeth in these wordes saying: it were superflous (saith he) here to recite the names peculiarly of all our brethren slaine in this persecution, which both were manye and to me vnknowne. But this is certaine that there were men, wemen, younge men, maydens, olde wiues, souldiers, simple innocentes, and of all sortes and ages of men.MarginaliaMartyrs of all sortes and ages. Of whome some with scourginges and fire, some with sworde obtained victorye, and got the crowne. Some continued a great time, and yet haue bene reserued. In the whiche number am I reserued hetherto to some other oportune tyme knowen vnto the Lord, which sayth: In the time accepted I haue hearde thee, and in the daye of saluation I haue helped thee, &c. Nowe as concerning my selfe in what state I am, if thou desire to know first howe I and Caius, and Faustus Petrus, and Paulus, being apprehended by the Centurion, were taken away by certayne of the towne of Mareote, I haue declared to you before. Now I and Caius, and Petrus alone are left here included, in a west place of Libya, distant the space of thre daies ioueney from Parætonium. &c. And in processe farther he addeth: In the Citie (saith he) were certaine priuily which visite the brethren: of Priestes Maximus, Dioscorus, Demetrius, and Lucius. For they which were more notable in the world, Faustinus and Aquilla, do wander abroade in Egipt. Of the Deacons besides them whō sicknes hath consumed, Faustus, Eusebius, & Cheremon, are yet alyue. MarginaliaCommendation of Eusebius the Deacon. Eusebius hath God raised and stirred vp to minister to the confessours lying in bandes, and to burye the bodies of the blessed Martirs, not without great perill. Neither doth the President cease yet to this day, cruellye murderyng such as be brought afore him, some tearynge with torments, some imprisoning and keeping in custody commaunding that no man should come to them, inquyring also who resorted vnto them. Yet notwithstanding God with chearefulnes and dailye resorte of the brethren doth comfort the afflicted. Hæc Dionysius.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaEusebius the Deacon made Byshop of Laodicea. Maximus Byshop of Alexandria. Concerning these deacons aboue recited, here is to be noted, that Eusebius afterward was made Bishop of Laodicia in Syria. Maximus the Priest aforesaide, had the mynistration of the Church of Alexandria after Dionysius Fau-